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J. Chris Lawrence

~ Speculative and Literary Fiction

J. Chris Lawrence

Category Archives: Updates

5 Tips For Bringing Characters to Life

12 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by J. Chris Lawrence in Updates

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5 Tips, author, Bringing Characters to Life, Characters, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Flash Fiction Chronicles, Improvement, J. Chris Lawrence, Novel, On Writing, Short Stories

(Previously published at Flash Fiction Chronicles 2013)

Compelling fiction thrives on convincing characters. They are the flypaper that snares us mid-flight, the bones of every plot and story. The more realistic they are, the more vivid the reader’s window will be into their world. With a quick Google search, it isn’t hard to find lists of advice about the development of strong characters (give them motivations, histories, weaknesses, and hunger, among others), but my goal here is to shirk those broader tenets in favor of some less obvious techniques.

Here’s my list of five tips for bringing characters to life:

 

Tip #1: Give Them Senses

Close your eyes. Can you isolate three unique sounds? Is there an aftertaste of the last thing you drank still coating the palate? Is there a small pebble in your shoe, nipping your feet?

While omniscient narrators can show us everything, the characters force us to live the story. Clearly, as writers, we can’t overindulge. Not only can this convolute and bog down the plot, the human mind naturally focuses on only a few senses at a time in order to protect itself from sensory overload. But by mentioning unexpected senses, we color the world with meaningful details through the characters themselves:

Beijing was not new to pollution. Xui Li often called it the city of clouds, in jest. But it wasn’t the gray pall or even its acrid stench that bothered her. It was the taste, the air’s grit coating her tongue that brought her to wear the unsightly mask.

Likewise, in Flash, where every word counts, a simple reference of a familiar sense can evoke a distinct personality or even an implied history with just a few words:

Stepping off the bus, my Father’s brisk hug swallowed me in Jovan Musk – the stench a stale reminder of cold dinners and Sunday School.

 

Tip #2: Give Them Quirks

A character without strengths, weaknesses and motivations is not a character at all. But where these attributes give characters depth, quirks make them stand out in a crowd.

Quirks add a great dynamic that effectively frames a character’s history and personality without requiring a lot of investment in word count. But more importantly, they make characters memorable and likable.

Think about the people in your life. What is it about them that stands out the most? Try not to focus on bigger traits, like how Bob donates to charities, or Vanessa does missionary work in Chile. Think more along the lines of how Jim is a forty-year-old Justin Bieber fan, or how Katy, being an obsessive movie goer, always compares events to scenes of classic flicks.

Most quirks don’t need an explanation, but some deserve it. If Vicki wears an eye patch, there’s a history there that requires some explanation, and it may even be central to the plot. But unless it is a core aspect of the story, a good rule of thumb for flash is to keep it simple, keep it unique, and let the characters use them how they will.

 

Tip: #3 Make Them Move

None of us simply stand still when we talk. We move, walk around, drink, and smoke, often without even thinking about it. As an experiment, try going to a friend’s house for coffee and spend twenty minutes discussing whatever you want. But casually, secretly, watch the other person. There are more than words being spoken: there’s the language of body movement, emphasizing and ever implying.

Having characters coil fingers in the cord while on the phone, taking intermittent sips as they talk or even butting a lit cigarette halfway through the discussion is a great way to pump blood into the dialogue. These little motions add a certain realism which piques the readers’ attention and keeps them in the world.

Sure, you could write this:

‘Right,’ Terry said. ‘I’ll just run a system scan and it should be good to go.’

But by adding a small action, you spark even the tiniest moment:

‘Right,’ Terry pushed his glasses up the crook of his nose. ‘I’ll just run a system scan and it should be good to go.’

 

Tip #4: Let Them Speak For Themselves

As a writer, it’s important to always remember that this isn’t about you, it’s about the characters. So, give them the freedom to express their thoughts and feelings. Just as movements are a great way to keep characters active, they can also be effective means of showing what characters think or feel. Never tell what they’re experiencing when dialogue or actions can deliver the same point.

This could capture the character’s emotions:

‘At least you still have the girls,’ Carol said.

‘I know,’ Gina nodded. But it still hurt. There was a void where her baby once was, and he wasn’t any less of a child in her heart. 

But the character could easily convey the same information without pushing the reader into her mind:

‘At least you still have the girls,’ Carol said.

‘I know,’ Gina whispered, touching the void where her belly once swelled. ‘He just…he was still my baby boy.’

Naturally, we shouldn’t force characters to express themselves when they normally wouldn’t want to; some thoughts are best kept in the head. But showing instead of telling goes a long way in fiction, and it grants characters personal freedom to make their own impact.

 

Tip #5: Challenge Them

How much do you know about your characters before starting the story? No matter the answer, the reader knows nothing, so giving them opportunities to learn more about the characters is paramount. Life is full of little complications, and how we react says a lot about us: how patient we are, how forgiving, how sympathetic. The same applies here. As an exercise, try challenging your characters with seemingly unnecessary complications to help bring their personalities to life.

Have someone cut him off on the ride home; have a homeless man accidentally bump into her on the subway; have him spill coffee on his newspaper. These little occurrences can prime the readers’ understanding of whom these characters are, which further validates how they react to larger events.

When Pastor Johnson gets cut off, he curses, telling us he may not hold as much conviction to his faith; when Judge Roberts goes to work, she condemns the homeless man his accident, telling us she’s quick to, well, judge; and when Bruce, the mailman, spills coffee on his paper, he gives a heavy sigh and cleans it up, explaining why he doesn’t go into a rage when told he’s lost his job.

In flash, minutia is crucial, and a few hints at a character’s humanity can work wonders for a robust personality. By giving them the ability to experience their own world; to be whatever quirky self they may be; to stretch their arms on a long drive; to express their own thoughts and feelings; and the opportunity take on little challenges, you give them life.

5 Tips for Getting Published at Every Day Fiction Magazine

30 Monday Sep 2013

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5 Tips, 5 Tips for getting published at every day fiction, Chris Lawrence, EDF, Every Day Fiction, Flash Fiction, Flash Fiction Chronicles, getting published at, Interdimensional Interviews, J. Chris Lawrence, On Writing, slush reader, Writing Tips

Hey everyone, I’m taking a brief interlude from Interdimensional Interviews to let you know I have a new article up at Flash Fiction Chronicles.

Having been a slush reader at EDF for around eight months now, and having been published there three times, I thought it might be helpful to share some pointers that I picked up along the way. So, if you’re interested in getting your flash published at Every Day Fiction, or other places for that matter (my advice applies to most publications), I’d love for you to check it out. And if you have any pointers of your own, feel free to share in the comments!

5 Tips for Bringing Characters to Life

10 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by J. Chris Lawrence in Updates

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5 Tips, 5 Tips for Bringing Characters to Life, Bringing Characters to Life, Chris Lawrence, Do you Really Pay attention to Tags?, Flash Fiction, Flash Fiction Chronicles, Hi Mom!, J. Chris Lawrence, On Writing, Thanks For Checking Out My Site, Writing Tips

Hey everyone. I have an article up at Flash Fiction Chronicles, where I give some tips on writing living characters in flash fiction. This is my first publication on the craft, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

A New Podcast

20 Monday May 2013

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A Good Use, Chris Lawrence, Every Day Fiction, Flash Fiction, Folly Blaine, Horror, J. Chris Lawrence, Podcast, Suspense

Hey everyone, the podcast for “A Good Use” (as read by the awesome Folly Blaine) has gone live today! If you haven’t read the story, or would like to hear Folly’s vivid portrayal of a man losing his grip in the wake of his wife’s murder, be sure to check it out. As always, all rates and comments are appreciated, but not necessary.

A New Experience

28 Monday Jan 2013

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Chris Lawrence, Every Day Fiction, Flash Fiction, J. Chris Lawrence, slush reader, The Widow's Tale

I’m proud to announce that I have been accepted on board as a Slush Reader for Every Day Fiction Magazine!

For anyone that may not know, Every Day Fiction is a web magazine that specializes in publishing fine fiction in bite-sized doses. Every day, EDF publishes a new short story of 1000 words or fewer that can be read during a lunch hour, on transit, or even over breakfast.

From a writer’s viewpoint, EDF brings a team of professional, respectful and supportive people to the table. They have published three of my stories, and even in the case of rejection, their insightful advice and support helped to improve not only those stories, but myself as a writer.

From a readers viewpoint, EDF offers a vast diversity in genre, with a solid quality standard. Each day is very much a surprise, as they embrace a wide spectrum of styles and themes.

I’m looking forward to being a part of an already great team, and getting a new perspective into the publication process. I think there will be a lot I can learn from this experience, and I couldn’t have found a better publication to support.

The Animism Fan Fiction Contest Winners

16 Friday Nov 2012

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Animism, Animism Fan Fiction, author, Chris Lawrence, Contest, Flash Fiction, J. Chris Lawrence, The Trickster, The Trickster's Promise, writer

I’m excited to announce that my name is indeed on this list! For everyone that showed your support, I can’t express enough my gratitude; not only for this project, but for all the works you endorse with your time and interest.

To everyone that follows my writing, let the meager utterance of a thanks suffice for this, my deepest appreciation!

A New Story, A New Contest

27 Thursday Sep 2012

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Animism, Animism Fan Fiction, Chris Lawrence, Contest, Every Day Fiction, Fiction, Flash Fiction, J. Chris Lawrence, The Trickster, The Trickster's Promise

I’m excited to announce that my short story, “The Trickster’s Promise” is now open for votes in the Animism Short Fiction contest!

You can find a link to the piece here.

When you’ve read the story, just click where it shows the Facebook icon on the right hand side, under where it indicates to vote for this week’s winner, and follow the directions for the app.

By voting, you will automatically be entered into a contest to win an iPod Nano, as well, though you will need an active Facebook account to do so.

With all that said, I should remind everyone that this story is based on the Animism world, so I advise watching the video linked below to get a basic understanding of the Spirits and their personalities. While the story is self sufficient, it will provide a deeper understanding of the world.

You can find that here.

Thanks to all those showing support, and as always, thanks for reading!

A Hard Day to Celebrate

11 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by J. Chris Lawrence in Updates

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9/11, Agoraphobe's Lament, anniversary, author, Chris Lawrence, Every Day Fiction, Fiction, Flash Fiction, in memoriam, J. Chris Lawrence, the pushcart prize, The Widow's Tale, writer

One year ago today, Every Day Fiction Magazine published my first story to commemorate the devastating events that occurred a decade prior. I originally wrote it to address the atrocities of terrorism, and was both surprised and honored to have it brought to light on that day.

While the piece was met with some controversy, I felt we should hold close the reality of these horrific acts. Likewise, I felt we should never forget the dangers that we, ourselves, can pose through the realization of our retribution. In my own way, that story was how I showed remembrance for the innocents that fell victim, both on our shores, and those on others that may have suffered through our retaliation.

I suppose it still is, even now.

That said, this is truly a hard day for me to celebrate, given the concurrent anniversary of something so much larger than myself. Yet it is a day of personal celebration nevertheless, as it’s also the anniversary of my first published work, and the landmark of my first year as a public writer.

In this last year, my focus was largely on Flash Fiction. I worked on a side project for fun (which has already reached the length of a novel, and developed a bit of a following all its own), and also managed to get eight stories published. My material ranged around a thousand words or less, with some dipping as low as fifty. My work will be present in at least one anthology, and for The Widow’s Tale, I even found myself nominated for The Pushcart Prize.

I’ll admit, this exceeded my goals.

However, I have decided to up the ante. In the coming year, I plan to extend on that — to work on larger short fiction, to increase publications, and to prepare a novel.

I can’t express enough appreciation for all of you that grant your time on my stumbles in fiction. A writer is truly nothing without a reader, nor the publishing groups that make this creative process possible.

Likewise, I would like to show my appreciation for all the men and women that strove to rescue those victims on that horrific day. For the public service people that risked (and at times lost) their lives for our friends and our family, on 9/11 and every other day that tragedy has touched. You have not received the support you deserve, but for what it’s worth, I thank you!

Finally, for a hard day to celebrate, I say here’s to another year.

Swallowed by the Dark

09 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by J. Chris Lawrence in Updates

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50 Word Stories, Chris Lawrence, Fiction, Flash Fiction, J. Chris Lawrence, Micro Fiction, Swallowed by the Dark

Hey everyone, I’m excited to be posting here again! I’m even more excited to announce that the new publication is another fifty word story.

I’ve only had two so far, but each time I’ve managed to slip a micro fiction into the annals of fiftywordstories.com, I can’t help but feel a distinct accomplishment. It’s undeniably a challenge, writing a complete story with a fifty word limit, but writing a good story with a fifty word limit is like shooting discs in a squall.

Anyway, I put a lot of thought into this one, and I hope you like it. Here’s “Swallowed by the Dark“

A Widow’s Podcast

16 Monday Apr 2012

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Chris Lawrence, Dark Tales of Lost civilizations, Every Day Fiction, Folly Blaine, J. Chris Lawrence, Podcast, Taking the Wind, The Widow's Tale

The podcast for “The Widow’s Tale” went live today, read by the talented Folly Blaine! You can listen to Folly’s portrayal of my widow scorned and check out her most recent works in the links below.

The Widow’s Tale

Folly’s Website

Dark Tales of Lost Civilizations (anthology featuring Folly’s work)

Taking the Wind (Folly’s most recent publication)

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Writing Samples:

  • "The Widow's Tale" A young spider finds herself woven by fate in a dark, unrequited-love story.
  • "Collateral Damage" In a decimated world, one man continues his personal war and pays a devastating price.

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